Sunday, 31 July 2016

Attached the small pieces to a background. Will hang as a 9 piece patchwork but for sale separately.

Have stitched back to long coastal piece. Curved needle and pliers needed, fingers still blistered.

Cabinet of Curiosities is going as well. The seagull is looking forward to another outing.

The exhibition opens on August the 13th. If anyone is in the area please look in. The Barn Gallery is situated within the grounds of a lovely retreat, great grounds and a beautiful walled garden.Curtains definitely on hold. Have told them Winter, dark nights, cold days they will have my undivided attention. Hope that holds them.I continue with my courtyard upgrade.

Have not yet sourced interesting outdoor dishes so far only seen rather naff plastic ones but have bought 2 cushions. Planned to make some but these looked good and were in a sale.

Do you like my bench and table? I painted them in the middle of packing. Mad or What! I wanted them to look good, going to their new home.

The fabric birds are outside to see how they weather.

Have no room for them inside. Still exploring studio space but a garage conversion is the most likely option. Watch this space.Next week I will be attaching labels and hanging rings always last minute things to do. Must find the bubble wrap.Look in next week when I will be breathing a sigh of relief that pieces have been delivered to the gallery on Sunday 7th.

Very special postcard from America has just landed beside the books so he has found his place in my new home.BYE BYE

Sunday, 24 July 2016

No contest. Garden of course. The move had one van dedicated to plants and they needed to be settled into their new home.

Started on the small courtyard as it seemed manageable. One shrub already there so mine planted round it.

Lots of cutting back ivy etc. The soil is rubbish. Missing my garden soil, with its years of added farmyard manure and compost. Resorted to buying organic manure from the garden centre. No smell!

Table and chairs a house warming present from my daughter- in- law. Perfect.

Have already eaten breakfast and lunch sitting out.

Plan to treat myself to some outdoor dishes, so watch this space.The curtains will have to be patient.

This is my homeless art material. Exploring possibilities for studio space. Have unpacked, with help from family and friends, so many boxes.

These still to be unpacked. More art material. I think they are breeding in the garage.

Where are the contents to go? Will I ever find scissors, glue etc. again and where oh where is my Gesso?Big changes - moving into a smaller home but content to be in a small town with essential shops within walking distance. Joy of Joy a family garage round the corner with lovely people to look after my car.Thoughts.Living one minute, one hour, one day at a time. Trying to ensure I enjoy a useful, fulfilled and therefore a happy life.Keep healthy- get this extra stone off.Keep focused. Nurture my family and friends.Count my blessings.Please look in next week and leave a comment.Do you find the content interesting? Are the photographs Ok?Check out my new regime to see how I plan to get that stone off.See how the courtyard is progressing.BYE BYE

Saturday, 9 July 2016

My thinking for this piece of work was my reaction to the images of refugees trying to cross into Europe. Quite shocking. Fences were being erected along borders. Keeping people in. Keeping people out.

I never get a good photo of my long pieces

The spaces between each piece of fabric represent the difficulties faced by the refugees as they try to cross border

The Fences were pieces of wood painted and distressed by leaving tied to a fence at the beach.I still have to stitch on the backing but the main part is finished.The clock is ticking and time for house move is very near. I am sorry I will miss harvesting my gooseberries. When ripe they are red and so very sweet.

Sunday, 3 July 2016

At last some time spent working on the "Coastline" piece. Had lunch and a business meeting last week with the group Fusation.

Realised how little time I had before the exhibition. I was planning to use a piece of acrylic to back the piece but so far had been unable to get it cut. The Potter who was hosting the lunch is having a new studio built ( envious ) Lovely worker said he would cut it for me. Back home, no excuses, got started.

I have used strong tape to hold the fleece in place then I will lace the back to stretch the work. This thin fleece is ideal as a backing.Coming together at last.

Add the "fences" and backing. End in sight.Feel a sense of relief as does the work. It was afraid it was being packed, in pieces, in a brown box.

I did not present any work to be juried for this exhibition. Caught up with house hunting and packing. I will be stewarding on the 20th 2.00/ 6.00. If you are around please look in. The biggest textile exhibition this year. Not to be missed.Saying goodbye to my garden.

About Me

Welcome to my blog.
My plan is to post every Sunday at 5.00 P.M. British time.
I will be recording my work using a variety of art materials and fabric, hopefully, to produce finished textiles for exhibition.
My name is Maureen also known locally as the lady who buries fabric in the local fields. I then add my own stitched and painted marks to tell stories about my rural environment.
I am a wife, mother, grandmother and gardener.